INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY—BAEKELAND. 231 
But still other processes are being developed, based on the fact 
that certain metals or metalloids can absorb nitrogen, and can thus 
be converted into nitrides; the latter can either be used directly as 
fertilizers or they can be made to produce ammonia under suitable 
treatment. 
The most important of these nitride processes seems to be that 
of Serpek, who, in his experimental factory at Niedermorschweiler, 
succeeded in obtaining aluminum nitride in almost theoretical quan- 
tities, with the use of an amount of electrical energy eight times 
less than that needed for the Birkeland-Eyde process and one-half 
less than for the cyanamide process, the results being calculated for 
equal weights of ‘‘fixed”’ nitrogen. 
A French company has taken up the commercial application of 
this process which can furnish, besides ammonia, pure alumina for 
the manufacture of aluminum metal. 
An exceptionally ingenious process for the direct synthesis of 
ammonia by the direct union of hydrogen with nitrogen has been 
developed by Haber in conjunction with the chemists and engineers 
of the Badische Aniline & Soda Fabrik. 
The process has the advantage that it is not, like the other nitrogen- 
fixation processes, paramountly dependent upon cheap power; for 
this reason, if for no other, it seems to be destined to a more ready 
application. The fact that the group of the three German chemical 
companies which control the process have sold out their former 
holdings in the Norwegian enterprises to a Norwegian-French group, 
and are now devoting their energies to the commercial installation 
of the Haber process, has quite some significance as to expectation 
for the future. 
The question naturally arises: Will there be an overproduction 
and will these different rival processes not kill each other in slaugh- 
tering prices beyond remunerative production ? 
As to overproduction, we should bear in mind that nitrogen 
fertilizers are already used at the rate of about $200,000,000 worth 
a year, and that any decrease in price, and, more particularly, better 
education in farming, will probably lead to an enormously increased 
consumption. It is worth mentioning here that in 1825 the first 
shipload of Chile saltpeter which was sent to Europe could find no 
buyer and was finally thrown into the sea as useless material. 
Then again, processes for nitric acid and processes for ammonia, 
instead of interfering, are supplementary to each other, because the 
world needs ammonia and ammonium salts, as well as nitric acid 
or nitrates. 
It should be pointed out also that ultimately the production of 
ammonium nitrate may prove the most desirable method so as to 
minimize freight; for this salt contains much more nitrogen to the 
